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Panel tries to open Wright-Patt gates to local companies

Skeptics say base officials do business with preferred subcontractors.

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By Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer Updated 11:30 PM Saturday, March 6, 2010

A local “blue-ribbon” commission is more than two months into the work of trying to unlock the mysteries of doing business with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The goal, said U.S. Rep. Steve Austria, who convened the commission in December, is to produce recommendations for any company seeking to do business with Ohio’s largest single-site employer. He hopes to have a report from the 28-member commission by May.

“This is a work in progress,” Austria said.

Until then, the work continues for the group led by co-chairs Gary Kowal, Serco senior director of business development, and John McCance, general manager for the Dayton operations of Schafer Corp., a defense contractor.

One important lesson gleaned so far, said those involved, is that there are opportunities for all kinds of businesses, not just those focused on aviation or technology.

Some local business observers are skeptical.

The base “gives the work to their preferred sub-contractors, most not local at all,” said Vicki Hesler, of Moraine’s Hesler Machine Tool. “We are one local manufacturer and are still surviving, (but) very rarely do locals get looked at, unless you have a contact on the inside, it seems.”

Hesler has been able to work for the Department of Defense, but not Wright-Patterson, she said.

McCance, though, believes more than one kind of company has a shot at base business. He recalled meeting with base contracting officers in December, who spoke with commission members about the wide gamut of needs the sprawling facility has.

“They talked literally about everything from toilet paper to F-22s,” McCance recalled. “I’m serious.”

Kowal said the commission has formed an “engagement group” to spark a better “dialogue” with the base. The closer this area can get to Wright-Patterson, to its challenges and mission, the better, Kowal said.

He cited the Small Business Innovation Research Program and a sister program, the Small Business Technology Transfer Program. The $2 billion programs are aimed at small, high-tech companies.

“Virtually all companies can participate,” Kowal said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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